Three people have been arrested and charged with child and animal abuse after five children were found living in the home in deplorable conditions in a Pennsylvania home.
The investigation began when one of the children escaped out a window and was found by a neighbor walking his dog, WTAJ reported. The child was shoeless and smelled like urine, the witness said when he called police.
In the nearby home, police found four other children. All five of the children, ages 2 through 7, were zip-tied to cages and confined for up to 20 hours a day. They were released to eat meals and immediately placed back into their cages.
Investigators described conditions at the hom as “horrific,” noting that doorknobs were removed and gates tied shut so the children could not get out. There was no running water, and animal feces was found throughout the living areas.
Several pets found in the home were also neglected.
According to an affidavit, officers brought the children Happy Meals from McDonald’s, and the kids appeared to “aggressively eat out of hunger.” The child who had escaped the home had initially tried to dig through the walls before climbing out a window.
Zoe Elise Zungali, 31; Dominic Andrew Zungali, 31; and Gillian Bem, 18; were all charged with child abuse and animal abuse. Police did not explain the relationships among the Zungalis, Bem, and the children.
“We’re very grateful to the police and first responders and the individual who called 911 that those children are now safe with the assistance of children, youth and families,” Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said.
The Zungalis were ordered held on $150,000 bails each, while Bem’s bail was set at half that. All three have preliminary hearings set for July 31.
The children have been placed in state custody.
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